Japanese train stuffing: Be glad you're not a Tokyo commuter

On this Thanksgiving holiday, I'm thankful to not be a Japanese commuter.

The island nation is home to any number of phenomenon that are simultaneously amusing and cringe-worthy. Train stuffing is no exception.

Apparently, so packed are the country's commuter trains, railroad officials are practiced in cramming passengers into the overcrowded cars. Literally, these workers - sometimes a handful at each train door - forcibly push the commuters inside.

Anchovies have it better than this, to borrow a cliche.

Fortunately for Hampton Roads commuters, even with Norfolk's Tide light rail system blowing away projected ridership figures - 5,480 rode the system Tuesday - there is little likelihood we will ever experience the challenges faced everyday by Japanese commuters.